capgemini-可持续未来的循环经济（英）-2021.11-64页_6mb

Circular Economy Summary

Core Content

The circular economy represents a shift from the traditional linear "take-make-waste" model to a more sustainable, regenerative system that minimizes waste, keeps products and materials in use for longer, and supports the regeneration of natural systems. This model is essential for addressing the unsustainable use of finite resources and mitigating climate change.

Main Points

• High consumer awareness exists around waste issues, particularly food and plastic waste. Over 79% of consumers are aware of global food waste, and 63% are aware of the plastic waste problem.
• Consumers are interested in mindful consumption practices, such as reducing overall consumption, buying durable or zero-waste products, repairing items instead of replacing them, and responsibly disposing of used products.
• Post-use actions like recycling, donating, and segregating waste are more commonly adopted by consumers, but pre-use actions such as renting or leasing are less appealing.
• Consumer behavior is influenced by awareness, cost, convenience, and access. For instance, 45% of consumers find renting difficult, compared to 30% who find recycling difficult.
• Consumers are pivoting towards companies that practice circularity, especially in food and beverage and personal-care sectors, with 44% and 40% respectively increasing spending on such companies.
• Regulatory efforts are emerging globally to support circular practices, including "right to repair" laws, product labeling requirements, and financial incentives for repairs.

Key Challenges

• Consumer roadblocks include reluctance to rent or lease products, lack of information, and difficulty in accessing repair services.
• Organizations are not doing enough to support circularity in their operations and value chains, despite consumer expectations.
• Lack of circular design in products and insufficient collaboration across ecosystems are major issues for companies transitioning to circular models.

Opportunities for Organizations

• Rethink business models to move away from product-centric revenue streams and embrace circular design principles.
• Collaborate with stakeholders, including governments, academia, and other industries, to close the loop in the value chain.
• Leverage technology such as IoT, blockchain, and AI to track and manage product and material flows.
• Build a circular culture through employee training, leadership accountability, and governance structures.
• Provide greater transparency and information to consumers, build trust, and shift mindsets towards circularity.

Economic and Environmental Benefits

• The circular economy offers economic advantages such as cost savings from reduced raw material use and increased reuse.
• Environmental benefits include reduced carbon footprints, less pollution, and the preservation of natural systems.
• The European Commission estimates that greater supply chain efficiency could reduce the need for new raw materials by up to 24% by 2030, resulting in annual savings of €630 billion for European industry.

Case Studies and Examples

• Grupo Bimbo has made significant progress in circular practices, including shifting 90% of packaging to recyclable materials, recycling 91% of operational waste, and reducing plastic use by over 290,000 kgs in 2020.
• Philips reported that circular economy products contributed 15% of its total revenue in 2020, showing the growing market potential of such initiatives.
• Ford highlights the economic benefits of using secondary materials, which reduce market and supply pressures.

Consumer Actions by Product Category

Conclusion

The circular economy is not only a sustainability imperative but also an economic opportunity. While consumers are increasingly aware of and interested in circular practices, especially in the post-use phase, they still face significant roadblocks in adopting circular behaviors. Organizations must lead the way by rethinking their business models, designing for circularity, and engaging in systemic collaboration. With the right strategies, technologies, and regulations, the transition to a circular economy can be both beneficial and essential for a sustainable future.